The Montenegro forward completed a 24 million pound move from Fiorentina last July, despite interest from clubs including Juventus and Arsenal.

And now the 24-year-old has revealed that the nine-times European champions wanted to buy him but said his former Fiorentina teammate Matija Nastasic persuaded him to join City.

Jovetic celebrates scoring his first Premier League goal against Tottenham.

He told BeIn Sport: "There was also Real Madrid, but I chose City. Nastasic and I talked a lot, he convinced me. I decided to come here because there is a major project with many players."

Jovetic added that he could have arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2012, rather than 2013, stating: "I should have come the year before, but I was happy and I had a nice season with [manager Vincenzo] Montella and Fiorentina."

The forward has only scored three goals in an injury-hit spell at City but is happy he made the right decision when opting for the English club.

Jovetic added: "I never regretted the choice. Sure these four or five months have been difficult at the beginning because I was not playing, I got injured often, but now it is all behind me.

"I never doubted myself even in the most difficult moments. I knew that I could play in this team and now I have to prove that."

Jovetic has featured in City's last four games, scoring his first Premier League goal as a substitute in the 5-1 win over Tottenham.